How to Protect Yourself from Lottery Scams

Winning the lottery is a dream for many South Africans. Whether it’s Powerball or Lotto, the excitement of possibly hitting the jackpot is real. Unfortunately, scammers use this excitement to trick people into handing over money or personal information. That’s why it’s important to know how to protect yourself from lottery scams.

These scams are becoming more common and more convincing. In this article, we break down how these scams work, the red flags to watch for, and how to stay safe.

ALSO READ: How to Stay Anonymous After Winning the Lottery

What Are Lottery Scams?

Lottery scams happen when someone contacts you out of the blue and says you’ve won a big prize. The catch? They ask you to pay fees, give your bank details, or share personal information to “claim” your winnings.

These fake messages can come through:

SMS
Email
Phone calls
WhatsApp
Social media
Fake websites

The goal is to steal your money or identity.

Why South Africans Are Being Targeted

Millions of people play the lottery in South Africa every week. The official operator, Ithuba, is well-known. That makes it easy for scammers to pretend they’re from the National Lottery.

In fact, Ithuba has warned the public many times about scams using their name. In some cases, people received WhatsApp or SMS messages claiming they won huge amounts—without ever buying a ticket.

Common Signs of a Lottery Scam

To protect yourself from lottery scams, watch for these warning signs:

1. You never bought a ticket.

You can’t win a lottery you didn’t enter. If someone says you did, it’s almost always a scam.

2. They ask you to pay upfront.

Scammers say you need to pay “fees,” “taxes,” or “delivery charges” before you get your prize. Legitimate lotteries never do this.

3. Urgent messages

You may be told to act quickly or risk losing your winnings. This pressure is a scam tactic to stop you from thinking it through.

4. Suspicious email addresses or poor grammar

Fake emails often come from free services like Gmail or Yahoo and contain spelling errors or weird phrases.

5. They ask for personal or banking info.

No real lottery will ask for your ID number, PIN code, or bank details through a message or call.

Real Example: The “Fake Ithuba” Scam

Ithuba, the operator of the South African National Lottery, officially warns players that it will never send unsolicited SMS or email notifications to announce wins. In 2023, they stated:

“The National Lottery will never send you an email or SMS stating the value of your winnings or your details to claim them.” (Jacaranda FM)

This follows repeated reports of scam messages claiming recipients won large sums and prompting them to share personal or financial details.

How to Protect Yourself from Lottery Scams

Here’s how you can avoid becoming a victim:

✅ 1. Don’t give out personal info.

Never share your ID number, banking info, or passwords with anyone claiming you’ve won a prize.

✅ 2. Check directly with Ithuba

If you’re unsure, check the results on the official National Lottery site or at an authorised retailer. You can also call Ithuba’s helpline.

✅ 3. Ignore messages from unknown numbers

Delete or block suspicious emails, texts, or WhatsApp messages claiming you’ve won.

✅ 4. Educate your family

Scammers often target the elderly or people unfamiliar with digital scams. Help them understand how to stay safe.

✅ 5. Report it

If you receive a scam message, report it to

SAPS (South African Police Service)
National Consumer Commission
SAFPS (Southern African Fraud Prevention Service)

Stay Safe Online Too

Good online habits can help you avoid scams. Here are some quick tips:

Use antivirus software.
Don’t click on suspicious links.
Enable two-factor authentication
Use strong passwords.
Never download attachments from unknown senders.

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

If you think you’ve been scammed:

Stop all communication with the scammer.
Contact your bank immediately.
Report the fraud to SAPS and SAFPS
Secure your accounts by changing passwords.
Flag your ID with SAFPS to help stop identity theft.
Visit: www.safps.org.za

Acting quickly can limit the damage and help authorities track down the fraudsters.

Always Remember

Scammers rely on hope and excitement to trick people into acting without thinking. Stay alert, trust your instincts, and always verify before you act. If something sounds too good to be true—it probably is.